Knot a Blog: Blog

A Very Special Clock

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:37:50 GMT

MyGallons Gives Us a Way to Save Money as Prices Rise - or Does It?

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:45:37 GMT

As we all feel the pain at the pump, a Miami based company, MyGallons, gives us a way to fight back as gas prices rise and save money on gas. Or, then again, maybe it does not. All you have to do to save money is register at the MyGallons.com website, receive your MyGallons Card, which assures you that you will be able to pay the current gas prices for gas that you have in your account, sort of like futures trading on an individual scale.

Florida Bans Hallucenogenic Salvia

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:25:40 GMT

Among new laws going into effect in Florida on July 1, 2008 is a ban on the sale of a hallucinogenic drug Salvia divinorum. The state legislature passed a bill making possession of Salvia a third-degree felony, with a punishment of up to five years in jail and a fine of $5,000.

Sam's Club's Square Milk Bottles: Green or Just Messy?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:37:18 GMT

If, like me, you shop at Sam's Club (part of Wal-Mart Stores), you may have a messy kitchen these days. The reason is that Sam's Club is now selling milk and orange juice in square bottles without spouts that are really hard to pour from.

More Ways to Connect

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:46:49 GMT

Technorati Profile

Why Are Bands Giving Away Free Music on the Internet?

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:24:11 GMT

I realize how old I am, when I find that on the Internet, I can legally download free tracks from Nine Inch Nails from the NIN website. Why is Trent Reznor making his music free to anyone with Internet access? When I was a teenager, I had to save money to buy a not so compact disk. There was no free lunch or free music. Now, there is a new music economy.

Red, White, and Blue Pizza

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:43:17 GMT

Celebrate the Fourth of July with this unlikely recipe, which you can find here.

I've Been Interviewed!

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:23:47 GMT

What was your first job? How old were you? Did you like it or hate it?

My first job was working on Saturdays at a drug store when I was about thirteen or fourteen. I pretty much enjoyed it. I remember as it got later in the evening, young men would come in asking for bizarre things, such as "Kaywoodies" and "Moon Bloomers," both of which meant condoms. I'm still trying to work that into a story.

The First Day of Summer

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:26:00 GMT

I believe that every year that I have maintained this blog, I have commented on the solstice, the first day of Summer. As a sometime English major, I have to remark on the poem "Epithalamium" by Edmund Spenser, a droll piece celebrating his wedding on the solstice - the longest day of the year (and, hence, the shortest night). You are invited to join me in read "Epithalamium" this year. Neckties, alas, optional.

I Love Dinosaurs and Other Animals!

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:40:57 GMT

"I Love Dinosaurs and Other Animals!" That's the name of a new index page that I just put online that links to my articles on dinosaurs and other animals. Do check them out!

Happy Father's Day

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:04:55 GMT

Happy Father's Day! I suppose that if there is a day that might be called Necktie Day, this is it. The Men's Dress Furnishings Association, the trade associtation of US necktie manufacturers has ended. Reports are that growing competition from abroad and a shrinking market here at home were factors.

Meanwhile, since I no longer have a job for which I have to wear ties (in fact, I no longer have a job), I am keeping this blog in business by using it to publicize some writing I am making a few bucks from. Some day, I hope, I'll be wearing and blogging ties again... at a job.

Beer: The World's Oldest Health Food?

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:49:56 GMT

"Beer was a way to preserve and use grains. Moreover, beer tasted good, it made people feel good. For thousands of years, however, beer was not a recreational liquid but a vital food, in fact, a health food. Perhaps if we look back to some good (very) old days, we might find a way to deal with beer that might be better for our physical and mental health, to see it as a food, not as a vice."

Panties for Peace: Get Empowered by Your Drawers!

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:17:31 GMT

"Women everywhere can make a political statement by throwing their panties, onto the world stage in a new but growing movement called Panties for Peace. A grassroots network of women's organizations in Thailand, Canada, and the United States has united under the name Panties for Peace and come up with a simple, outrageous, but powerful way of protesting the ongoing abuses of the generals who are ruling and ruining Myanmar."

How I Did Not Become a Millionaire Selling on eBay Penis Enhancement Tapes

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:45:04 GMT

"I could become a millionaire by selling on eBay. Guess what I was going to sell? Not breast enhancement tapes, but if breast enhancement by hypnotic suggestion is possible, then why not... why not penis enhancement tapes?"

The truth is, I'm not becoming a millionaire selling neckties on eBay either! Look through the 500+ neckties of this blog. Most of them are for sale. Email me (msegers @ gmail. com) if interested. (Of course, omit the spaces in the address.)

Daddy Diaper Bags: The New Father's Day Gift?

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:24:43 GMT

"For a mere $198, you can give the dad a Father's Day gift that says he is somebody special, Brad Pitt's favorite diaper bag, although for $198, I have the feeling that Angelia Jolie should show up to deliver this Father's Day gift."

What were you expecting? A necktie? Read more about diaper bags as Father's Day gifts here.

Esperanza Spalding Gives Jazz Lovers Hope

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:32:44 GMT

With a lovely lady like Esperanza Spalding in command of things (this is not a raucous, anarchic music), jazz has a future and so does Esperanza Spalding. Just listen to her "Mela," if you have any doubt, or "Love in Time," or - oh, heck - any of the dozen tunes on Esperanza, each of which is a distinct little musical world, with some pop, some jazz, a dash of soul, and isn't that a bit of Latin there? Under the leadership of Esperanza Spalding, the songs of Esperanza fit together into a hot, cool, exciting, relaxing, constantly entrancing portrait of a very talented artist as a beautiful young lady.

Read more about this music to wear neckties to.

Dry Drowning Death Calls Attention to a Serious Problem

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:56:27 GMT

The sad loss of a Goose Creek, S.C., 10-year-old named Johnny Jackson has stirred a good bit of interest in the cause of his death -- "dry drowning," a condition observed in about 15 percent of all drowning deaths. As unusual as Johnny Jackson's death by dry drowning sounds, it calls attention to a serious and much more widespread threat to children.

Sharon Stone, Karma, and the Earthquake in China

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:48:37 GMT

A good old Buddhist term, karma, has hit the news with Buddhist actress Sharon Stone stirring up the biggest religious controversy, since the Reverend Jeremiah Wright's diatribes, with her interpretation of the recent earthquake in China. At the Cannes Film Festival, Stone remarked, "I'm not happy about the way the Chinese are treating the Tibetans because I don't think anyone should be unkind to anyone else. And then this earthquake and all this stuff happened, and then I thought, is that karma?"

Read more.

Yves Saint-Laurent

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:27:17 GMT

French designer Yves Saint-Laurent, best known for his lines of women's clothing, has died. It seems not so well-known that his name at least is associated with neckties. In one week, I wore two Yves Saint-Laurent ties. And, I suppose, that is all I have to say about him, except that as I was trying to find my blog entry for the ties using Google, I entered the names Yves and Segers. To my surprise, I found a singer named Yves Segers.

Eggshell

Thu, 29 May 2008 23:52:10 GMT

I just found that my one-line poem from 1971 has been quoted online again.

Natural Medicine - Not Naturally Safe

Tue, 27 May 2008 18:35:27 GMT

There are many things I do without wearing neckties. Here is one.

I haven't referred to my cyber-neighbor Gentle Breeze in a while, although I visit her frequently. She still is finding great jokes. Here is one that I especially enjoyed.

A memorable Memorial Day to all!

Tue, 27 May 2008 01:37:55 GMT

I hope you did not wish anyone a "Happy Memorial Day!" What a contradiction. I do hope you had a meaningful Memorial Day, and if you need something to add some meaning to the day...

On less exalted levels, I went to a thrift shop today that I had never visited. I found only my second ever Hermès tie... for a quarter. I insisted they take a dollar.

Unusual happenings and unusual ties

Wed, 21 May 2008 15:29:19 GMT

I just found that if you enter "unusual ties" in Google, you will get to an entry in this blog. So, to go along with that, here are some articles I've written on unusual topics, things that just don't quite fit into the normal way of things. (And, that has what to do with a blog about neckties?)

The Beast of Bodmin Moor -

Did you hear about the lion hunt in Sherwood Forest? Find out about the elusive big cats of Britain.

The Piri Reis Map -

A Turkish navigator drew a map with Antarctica at the bottom of the world... but Antarctica was not discoveed until 1818, and this map was drawn in 1513.

The Buried Treasure of Oak Island -

Here's the ultimate pirate treasure story. The problem is, after 200 years of digging, there's still no treasure.

The Flood of Lyonesse -

Is this an Arthurian legend or another version of lost Atlantis?

The Dogan: Did Ancient Africans Learn From Tiny Astronauts? -

Or, did modern Africans learn from a French anthropologist?

Can Religious Statues Cry or Drink Milk? -

Catholic and Hindu statues seem to be pretty lively sometimes.

A tie so nice, I'll blog it twice!

Mon, 19 May 2008 18:51:24 GMT

Back on January 14th, I wore one of the most subtly beautiful and mysterious ties I've ever seen. As I mentioned at the time, it was autographed by Jandel Zombel, a "gentleman" about whom I could find no information.

Imagine my surprise and joy when I got an entry in the guestbook (which you can read on this page) from Jandel Zombel, a woman! A lady, may this old-fashioned gentleman say, who, it turns out has had quite a fascinating life full of design, art, and neckties! She is still an artist, but we are blessed that she is now a teacher, so she will pass her vision along to another generation (I hope).

She shared a story with me that should be shared: Once, I was called for jury duty in Miami. When they interviewed me, they asked if I knew any of the lawyers present. Four were wearing my tie (no two alike) and the Judge admitted he owned a few too... They sent me home.

Gee, as much as I dislike jury duty, maybe I'll start designing ties.

She also adds, I probably only made 10,000 ties in 15 years.

So, that makes me cherish my Jandel Zombel original even more.

And, a final comment from MS. Zombel, I made it BIG in a small way.

When I look at this lovely tie, I feel that she made it big in quite a big enough way.

Congratulations to her... and to me for having one of only 10,000 of her ties, which I am happy to blog again.

Dinosaurs Untied

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:44:20 GMT

I have worn several neckties throughout the life of this necktie blog that featured dinosaurs, most recently in the April 30th roundup. Dinos and I go way back, since as a kid, I was a nut for dinosaurs. Then, unexpectedly, as an adult, I worked in a dinosaur park for a few years. So, as I've been doing some writing lately, it's not surprising that I've turned out several articles on dinosaurs. Enjoy!

Coprolites: The Joys of Dinosaur Poop

Tyrannosaurus Rex: Fun Facts About a Serious Predator

What Was a Dinosaur's Lifespan?

How Do Dinosaurs Get Their Names?

Why Can't We Just Call Them Suzie or George?

What People Want to Know About Dinosaurs

Mother's Day and more

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:35:35 GMT

Quick! Let's get the tie up there, before I forget what this necktie blog should be about. I'm not wearing ties very often these days, but when I visited my mother for Mother's Day, I wore this beautiful silk Johnny Carson tie. I remember reading somewhere years ago that Carson made a contrast between his classically understated look (reflected in his clothing line) and the more flamboyant styles of Doc Severinsen, the conductor of the Tonight Show Band. This tie is not exactly muted, however.

Just for no reason at all, have you ever wondered about Native American calendars?

Shamanism: The Oldest Inward Path

Thu, 08 May 2008 02:25:52 GMT

I am not going to be wearing neckties every day, at least for a while. So, I have decided to show that there is indeed more to my life than neckties. Today, I am sharing with you a talk on shamanism that I presented a few years ago and have archived at, of all places, the Internet Archive.

Yes, I know that you don't typically associate shamanism and neckties, but I would like to think that this is not a typical blog.

More Amazing Creatures

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:25:38 GMT

#539 - 540 Here are some more amazing animals, without, as far as I know, any political overtones, so I'll let them stand on their own. On the left is a Tabasco tie (silk, US), showing alligators and waterfowl that may suggest Louisiana but for me evoke my Florida. On the right is my only Salvatore Ferragamo tie (silk, Italy). Although this is the first appearance of this tie on my blog, it is not the first reference to it.

By the way, there is more to my life than neckties.

Apolitical Elephants

Sun, 04 May 2008 20:26:23 GMT

#537 - 538 I was looking in the drawer of animal ties the other day, and it occurred to me that I really don't want to wear elephant neckties much closer to the election. (Doggone it, I have only one donkey tie.) So, I present for your looking pleasure and my wearing pleasure these two ties:

On the left is a "Jimmy V | Jim Valvano Collection One" silk tie (Stonehenge, US). To the right is a "WWF | World Wildlife Fund" silk tie (US), with an imprint, "African Elephant: The World's Largest Living Land Mammal |Design No 133."

These wonderful animals deserve better than being associated with that political party. So, here is Chapter 23, "The Elephant," from the great Buddhist scripture, Dhammapada (and have you ever wondered, "How Do You Become a Buddhist?"):

Silently shall I endure abuse as the elephant in battle endures the arrow sent from the bow, for the world is ill natured.

They lead a tamed elephant to battle, the king mounts a tamed elephant; the tamed is the best among men, he who silently endures abuse.

Mules are good, if tamed, and noble horses, and elephants with large tusks; but he who tames himself is better still.

For with these animals does no one reach nirvana, where a tamed man goes on a tamed animal, on his own tamed self.

The elephant, his temples running with sap, and difficult to hold, does not eat a morsel when bound; the elephant longs for the elephant grove.

If a man becomes fat and a great eater, if he is sleepy and rolls himself about, that fool, like a hog, is born again and again.

This mind of mine went formerly wandering as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased; but I shall now hold it in thoroughly, as the rider who holds the hook holds in the furious elephant.

Be not thoughtless, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the evil way, like an elephant sunk in mud.

If a man find a prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, he may walk with him, overcoming all dangers, happy, but considerate.

If a man find no prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, let him walk alone, like a king who has left his conquered country behind, like an elephant in the forest.

It is better to live alone, there is no companionship with a fool; let a man walk alone; let him commit no sin, with few wishes, like an elephant in the forest.

If an occasion arises, friends are pleasant; enjoyment is pleasant, whatever may be the cause; a good work is pleasant in the hour of death; the giving up of all grief is pleasant.

Pleasant in the world is the state of a mother, pleasant the state of a father, pleasant the state of a monk, pleasant the state of a brahmin.

A virtue lasting to old age is pleasant, a faith firmly rooted is pleasant; attainment of intelligence is pleasant, avoiding sins is pleasant.

Catching Up

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:16:51 GMT

#529 - 536 OK, this is going to be a big entry, so sit back and relax.

The first two ties (above) have dates, the bowtie on the right (Robert Talbot, silk) being a paisley, to continue a Lenten paisley theme. It happened to be the tie with which I neatly tied up with a bow (rhymes with low) not with a bow (rhymes with how) a segment of my life in which I got obsessed with ties. The tie on the left is, of course, from Countess Mara (with a very distinct monogram on this one, also with a store label for "The Union"). What better way to begin a new segment of my life? I wore this to a job interview, on a Sunday evening. As if that isn't odd enough, when I arrived for my "interview," I was given some work to get started on. Surely that was the most unusual job interview I have ever had.

After that first day, I have been wearing ties, of course, but I have not been keeping up with the dates, so I am simply assigning the rest of these catch-up ties numbers in the ongoing sequence. The picture on the right shows two pleasant floral ties with good labels. #531 is a luscious cotton print (Tango by Max Raab, USA), and #532 is a silk tie (Boss | Hugo Boss, Italy).

#533 is another almost creamy, certainly dreamy cotton floral print (Tango by Max Raab, USA). If you read the parenthetical remarks, you may wonder why I didn't put the two Tango by Max Raab ties together. Simply, with two such great ties, why not stretch my comments over two pictures... and make an emphatic comment like this? #534 is a silk floral, with a more expansive print (Deco-Mode, US).

#535 (Daniel de Fasson | Designers in Motion Miami, Korea) and #536 (Carlos DeVenizia| Roma Barcelona, China) are silk ties with Asian origins and bold prints that are fun to wear.

Speaking of fun to wear, how about these two? #537 is a silk print with a travel theme (JT Beckett, USA). #538 has special significance for me, since it shows, according to an imprint, "Tyrannosaurus Rex | Cretaceous Period." Since dinosaurs paid my rent for six years, I take them very seriously, and I really like this stunning black and white image (Nature's Museum Collection, silk, USA). In fact, I'm still writing about "How Do Dinosaurs Get Their Names" and "What People Want to Know About Dinosaurs."

Dinosaurs are a good way to deal with the past. Now, back to the present... a present, by the way, in which I work at home on some days. I've debated wearing ties those days (remember, you are at work), but so far, I haven't.

Starting Over

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:41:42 GMT

#527 - 528 Back to the blogosphere again... I've been wearing ties again for a couple of weeks, so I shall have to play catch-up, but I wanted an extremely special tie to jump-start this blog (as if it really needs much jump-starting after yesterday's musical number). Today, I began things again with a lovely handmade silk tie from "Kai Long." The design, according to my dear Dharma friend Cheryl, who gave it to me, is an old Buddhist prayer. Let us hope. Continuing the Buddhist theme, I'll wear a Thai silk tie from "Channiti." The Buddhist connection has nothing to do with the design but rather with the Buddhist country of origin.

I will survive!

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:32:23 GMT

I have been tied up for over a month... well, actually untied. I've been wearing neckties again for a couple of weeks, but it will be a while before I can get back to blogging. Here is a wonderful video from a group called Young@Heart which sums up my feelings...

Let There Be Lent! - 5

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:21:18 GMT

#523 - 526 During the previous Lents of this blog, I have tried to add a spiritual dimension by referring to various online texts, most notably in the The Internet Sacred Text Archive. This year, with Lent coming after the excesses (textile and verbal) of the celebration of 500 ties, I decided that the way I could best capture the spirit of the season was to cut things way back, not just in the selection of ties but also in the words surrounding them.

So, here we go, with a Countess-Mara free week of paisley; it doesn't get much more deprived than that:
March 3rd - Classic Collection Van Heusen silk US
March 4th - Traditionalist silk US
March 5th - John Comfort London England silk
March 6th - Oscar de la Renta Studio - no material or origin

Let There Be Lent! - 4

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:05:18 GMT

#519-522 Back to Countess Mara, our lady of Lent this year, with more stripes and variations on the themes of dots. Also, I return to a four-day week, since on Thursday, I take a friend for a medical procedure.

As always, I really have nothing to say about diagonally striped neckties, except that the one for the 25th has a store label, "Chapman's Since 1923." The only Chapman's clothing store I can find a reference to is one in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Since we have many Canadian snowbirds and retirees around here, it seems logical that one of them might have cleaned out his closet to benefit a local thrift shop.

There is more interest, for me, in the dots. The dots on the tie for the 27th seem to be little crosses (appropriate for the season), and the two ties show just how varied dots can be. The tie for the 27th has another example of the previously discussed Wolf Brothers store label. The necktie for the 29th (the day after I take a friend to the hospital) has a store label "Bert Schroeder | San Jose" and a paper price tag of $10.00. Apparently the store is still in business, since it is included on this list.

Let There Be Lent! - 3

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:24:31 GMT

#515-518 So, once again I turn to plaid for Lent. Plaid is, of all my Lenten generics, the most seldom found. So far this year, I have taken advantage of Lent to wear Countess Mara ties, but I have no more plaids from the Countess down in the vaults.

I begin the plaid regimen on Tuesday (19th) with the real thing, a wool necktie made in Scotland (A Nethy Product), with the family name associated with the tartan being Mackinnon. The remaining plaid ties are made of cotton in the US. The tie for the 20th has the label "Tango by Max Raab," for the 21st, "Cape Cod Neckwear," and for the 22nd, "Polo by Ralph Lauren."

Knot a Tie?

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:16:58 GMT

I'm not a Valentine's type, and tomorrow, I'll spend the day in a particularly unfestive way, accompanying a friend to the hospital for some surgery. So, no tie... or, won't there be?

My cyber-neighbor Gentle Breeze designed a virtual tie for me on the occasion of my reaching 500 ties, and she specified that it is for Valentine's Day. So, here it is, although that wascally wabbit makes me wonder what sort of old roué she thinks I am. Thanks, Ms. Breeze, and now that you have added necktie-design to your resumé, so that your tie will fit in with the other ties here, I think I'll dub thee Countess Breeze!

Let There Be Lent! - 2

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:43:03 GMT

#511-514 Lenten observance approaches minimalism when the subject turns to dots, but there are so many kinds of dots, as you can see on these four Countess Mara silk neckties. Although I am offering a smaller view of each tie, I am including the ends, so you can see the variations on the CM monogram, and yes, the tie for the 15th does not have that monogram. It does, however, have a lining with the name and monogram embossed, as well as the Countess Mara enforced neckband. I don't know what is going on, but I have several Countess Mara ties that do not have the monogram but have the embossed lining and the neckband.

The tie for the 12th (my mother's birthday) has a store label, "Wolf Brothers | Florida," and I can find only one reference to Wolf Brothers, in this photo. On the building in the upper right corner of the photo, you will see the Wolf Brothers logo that is on my tie. Watch out for something special on the 14th.

Let There Be Lent!

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:27:24 GMT

#507-510 This is the time of year, the season of Lent, when I dig down into the vaults and come up with ties that I pass over (wrong holiday) during the rest of the year and wear such generic ties as plaids, solids, polka dots, paisleys, and the dreaded diagonal stripes. There's nothing wrong with diagonal stripes. There's nothing so right about them that they should so totally dominate neckties.

Nothing suggests Lenten deprivation so much as the tie for Ash Wednesday (Feb. 6th) - a red tie with diagonal stripes. So, to show that diagonals can have fun, I follow with a necktie that seems to me to be a sort of jazz improvisation on the theme of diagonals. There is a lot of stuff going on, with the different stripes serving almost as samplers, but it is all unified around the diagonal theme.

Both ties, you will notice, are unified by the Countess Mara monogram - CM with a crown above. It is easier to see on the yellow stripe than on the red. Both have Countess Mara labels on the back, and the blue tie has the monogram repeated on the lining. There are no other labels, but I'm sure that the ties are made of silk.

On February 8th and 10th (visiting my mother, planning to wear a tie on Sunday), our Lenten view switches to paisley, which was exotic once upon a time, until it got worn out. These two neckties show the range of paisley, at least in the size of the design. Again, both ties have the Countess Mara monogram. The one on the first tie shows up better. The label on the back of the darker tie reads "Sistine Satin by | Countess Mara | New York." The label on the lighter tie does not have the first line, which I have never seen on any other Countess Mara tie, although I find a reference to it on neckties sold on e-Bay. Again, I am guessing that these ties are silk.

Both of these neckties have store labels of nearby stores sewn on as keepers (to make the loop through which the tail is inserted to hold it in place). The tie on the left is from "White's Men's Shop | Bartow, Fla." The one on the right is from "Cleghorn's | Lakeland, Florida." It appears that neither of these stores is now in business.

Hello, Dali!

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:46:05 GMT

The celebrations just don't stop. Fellow tie-blogger Will has just posted his 100th tie. Although he and I began our blogs at about the same tie, he posts one tie a week, and I usually post five a week, so we are pretty much in synch. But, he didn't have to entice a beautiful model to help him celebrate his big event. The lucky so-and-so (pardon the envy) has a tie that is as close to the Holy Grail as a necktie collector can find. I hope a little suspense will move you to check out his blog. Congratulations, Will!